07/04/2026
Christ's Plan of Salvation
God’s Inspired Word
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
It is only then through a study of the scriptures that we will be able to move towards that perfection and have all knowledge necessary for salvation.
Sin and Disobedience
Let us use the scriptures as our guide. They will tell us things that we may not know or understand. Scriptures will inform us of events past, present, and future that affect our lives. An important past event is that Adam, the first man, because of his disobedience to God, brought sin to all of mankind.
(Romans 5:14) “14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the
transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.”
(Romans 5:18, 19) “18 Therefore, as through [a]one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
(Romans 3:23) “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
In Romans 6:23, the apostle Paul explains, “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Adam disobeyed many years ago and we continue to disobey today. If we choose disobedience as a way of life, then we have nothing to look forward to but death, because the reward of sin is death.
Obedience and Righteousness
If, on the other hand, we choose to obey God, then we are pleasing to Him and promised eternal life. We would be doomed if it were not for our loving God’s grace that gives us a way to avoid eternal condemnation through His beloved son, Jesus Christ. What is this way?
(Ephesians 2:7-14) “7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Romans 10:1-4) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For
they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
It is God’s desire that all mankind be saved. However, many wish to be saved on their own terms. They want to be godly, but they do not look to the scriptures for guidance. Instead, they set their own standards and try to be righteous in their own sight. They have a zeal, but not according to knowledge. They have not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness, and that is the only righteousness that will save us.
God’s Plan for Saving Man
God has a master plan governing the establishment of His righteousness. Part of this plan is that He appointed one to oversee the operation of it. The appointment was given to His Son, Jesus Christ, through whom eternal life is to be given. God’s grace is the plan of salvation, through Jesus’ death in our place. We can obtain righteousness to be saved by obedience to His son’s will.
This appointment is given to us in scripture:
(Matthew 17:5) “5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
(1 Timothy 2:5) “5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
(Acts 4:12) “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Christ explained the relationship between Himself and His father:
(John 5:24) “24Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
( John 14:6) “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
The apostle John sums up everything that has been discussed thus far:
(John 3:16-18) “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
We just read that no man (or woman) can go to the Father except through Christ. We must then listen to Christ for directions. Listen to his words as recorded for us in scripture.
(John 3:5-7) “5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”
The obvious question then is, What is the process of ‘being born again’? Let us look to the scriptures for guidance.
(Romans 10:13-15) “13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
(Romans 10:17) “17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
This is contrary to the belief of many that faith is a “mystical” experience. There is no mystery about it. Faith comes only by hearing or reading the inspired word of God and the account of Christ and his teachings as revealed to us in the New Testament scriptures.
(John 20:31) “31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Our faith is a firm persuasion that what we have read or been told from scripture is true. In what then do we place our faith?
We do not place our faith in the old law.
Acts 4:12 “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
We do not place our faith in the works of the old law.
Galatians 2:16 “16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
We do not place our faith in man.
Acts 4:12 “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
We do place our faith in God.
Mark 11:22 “22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”
We do place our faith in Christ.
Acts 20:21 “21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Hebrews 11:6) “6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Him is God. Our faith in God is a firm persuasion in our heart and mind that God exists and that He rewards all people who obey Him. Whatever He commands us to do, whether through His Son or the apostles, we do because our faith in God assures us these actions are right. Anything, then, we do without this faith (authorized of God) is sinful.
(Romans 14:23) “23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
Our study so far guides us to know what faith is, and that we need it to please God. But faith alone is not enough to save us. Why? James gives readers several good reasons:
(James 2:19-20) “19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
The devils believed in Christ’s existence and power. They were afraid of him and of his power over them.
(Matthew 8:29) “29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
(Mark 1:24) “24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
If faith had been enough, the devils would be saved. However, their belief did not lead them to obedience. The devils were unwilling and refused to submit to the will of Christ. James continues and assures us that faith without works is dead. When something is dead, it is useless and of no benefit to anyone. Faith is the same way.
(James 2:26) “26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without work is dead also.”
(James 2:17) “17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Our faith causes us to do works of righteousness, which is obedience to God’s instructions presented to us through the New Testament. It is not to be confused with the physical ritualistic works advised under the old covenant law of Moses- animal sacrifices, washings, etc., -a covenant which could only roll sins forward, not permanently remove sin.
An obedient faith is required of all who seek salvation in Christ. Christ asks:
(Luke 6:46) “46But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things which I say?”
Christ explains this principle again in Matthew.
(Matthew 7:21) “21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Faith Unto (Toward) Salvation
Hearing the word and faith, however, are still not enough to save us; they are parts of the whole of God’s plan (requirements) of salvation. Our faith begins our journey toward salvation and bolsters our spirit in times of doubt, as Paul communicated to the Ephesians.
(Ephesians 6:16) “16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
We must do the same today to keep from being misled with false doctrine.
(Ephesians 4:14) “14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.”
(2 Peter 3:17) “17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.”
(2 Peter 2:1) “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”
(Galatians 1:8-9) “8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
Up until the time of Christ, people that were not Jews did not know God. They were ignorant (without knowledge) of God’s requirements. When Christ, by God’s authority revealed the Gospel to the world, there was no longer reason for ignorance. Paul communicates this to the men of Athens.
(Acts 17:30) “ 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”
Repentance Unto (Toward) Salvation
What is repentance? To understand this principle, we must lay a foundation. The mind controls all thoughts and decisions which lead to actions. There is nothing man does that is not preceded by a thought to do it. So must repentance also begin in the mind. Repentance is a change in the original thought, which leads to change in the action. What causes the repentance? Let us look at Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians.
(2 Corinthians 7:10-12) “10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.”
We understand by studying the scriptures and thoroughly hearing God’s will that we are disobedient.
(Romans 3:23) “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
We are sorry for the way we have lived in the past and decide to live our future life pleasing to God. This is God’s will, for us to live our life pleasing to Him.
(Luke 13:5) “5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
Repentance causes us to give up our own thoughts and ways and look to God for his guidance. Hearing the gospel, having faith, and repenting cannot save us, but does lead us toward salvation in Christ. If you stop here, you may become a better person, but you will not have fully submitted yourself to God’s will.
Confession Unto (Toward) Salvation
When we were without God, our actions and words showed we were the servants of sin. When we heard the word of God, and faith grew within us, causing us to repent of our past ways, we find ourselves serving a new lord and master. As we serve our new master, we cannot conceal our belief and be pleasing to God.
(Romans 10:11) “11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Since we are not ashamed of our new master, we are willing to publicly declare our belief that Jesus Christ is God’s son and appointed agent through whom eternal life is to be given.
(Acts 4:12) “12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The apostle Paul instructs the Romans of this.
(Romans 10:9-10) “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
“Unto salvation” means toward salvation. So it is clear that a confession of our belief is not merely a public show of our faith, but a mandatory step on our way toward salvation. Christ, himself, explains this in Matthew.
(Matthew 10:32) “32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
Now, by turning to the book of Acts, you may read an account of a man who made just such a confession.
Acts 8:37 “37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
If you read the entire account, you will plainly see that confession alone did not save him. There yet remains one last requirement before salvation can be claimed. This last step is mentioned many times in the New Testament, but is the one most often ignored. It is probably the most neglected step into salvation because it is the least understood.
Baptism Into Christ
This final requirement is baptism. The man mentioned in Acts 8 (above) was baptized and so must all others who are born again. Let us refer back to John.
(John 3:5) 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Water is used by God as an instrument of cleansing or separation from sin (sanctification). A study of the Bible shows how God cleansed the earth from sin and separated Noah and his family from the unrighteous by water (Chp 8 Genesis). A continued study shows how Naaman was cleansed or separated from his disease of leprosy by water as directed by the prophet, Elisha (2 Kings 5).
Baptism is the name given to the act of symbolic cleansing from sin and separation from evil things and ways (sanctification). In obedient baptism, God removes our sins, setting us apart from the world and placing us into the kingdom of His dear Son.
Referring back to Noah, the apostle Peter says:
(1 Peter 3:21) “21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Peter says baptism saves us! Not baptism by itself, but because our new attitude of faith towards God is shown by our willingness to completely obey His Will, which can only occur after a person hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believes (faith) in what is heard, repents (turns away from sinful ways), and confesses (that Jesus Christ is the Son of God). Baptism shows the final separation from the world resulting in forgiveness of our past sins.
(Acts 2:38) “38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Our undeserved gift is forgiveness of sins!)
(Acts 10:43) “43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Be sanctified holy)
(Hebrews 10:10-25) “10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this Man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sin for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made His footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that He had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)”
Do not be deceived, belief is much more than just a mere mental acknowledgement that we believe Christ is the son of God. Genuine and sincere belief in Christ propels the believer to obey His commands; doing all Christ requires of us to obtain salvation. By our obediently going completely under the water (a watery grave) and coming out of the water, we signify death of our sinful self and rebirth (born again) of our spiritual self. We are obediently signifying Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, which He did first for mankind, as God’s assurance that He will do the same for us.
The apostle Paul asks in Romans.
(Romans 6:3-4) “3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
(Romans 6:5) “5 For if we have been planted (united) together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.”
The second chapter of Acts has recorded for the world to read what a person must do once he realizes his sinful ways. Let us begin reading the question these sinners asked in Acts.
(Acts 2:37) “37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Notice verse 38 does not state, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because your sins have already been forgiven.” It also does not state, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to be added to an earthly denomination.” Absolutely not!
OUR OBEDIENCE TO BAPTISM IS FOR THE REMISSION OF OUR SINS AND WHAT IS REQUIRED OF US TO BE PLACES INTO CHRIST!
Remission means forgiveness, sanctified holy by Christ’s blood sacrifice. Sins are forgiven so that we are clean, at the point we obediently follow Christ into His death, burial, and resurrection. When we are cleansed in baptism, it is then and only then that we are acceptable to God.
(Acts 22:16) “16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
(Please recall the beginning of this study where it was established that man’s sin separated us from our God. Sin caused man to be unacceptable to God and destined for death. Forgiveness of our sins allows us to be in God’s presence.)
SAVED BY GOD’S GRACE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS HIS SON
We have now come full-circle. Remission of sins (forgiveness) makes us clean in God’s sight and reconciles us back to Him so that now He can look upon us as a new creature (born again) and without spot (sin).
Paul states:
(2 Corinthians 5:17-18) “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Baptism is not a work of man. We cannot earn salvation by our own works. However, obedience to the Father’s Will- the Gospel of Jesus Christ (hearing God’s Word, believing His Word, repenting of our sinful ways, confessing His Son before men, and following Christ’s example of his death, burial, and resurrection in baptism) is required.
Baptism is the final required step in God’s plan that places us into Christ’s body- the church (His kingdom). By obedience to baptism we are "calling on the name of the Lord” or petitioning the Father to “call us out” (to be set apart) from this sinful world and to sanctify us holy. It is where we receive forgiveness of our sins. We can then wear His name - Christian- and become part of His spiritual kingdom, the church (the called out) belonging to Christ.
Baptism is a work of God.
(Colossians 2:11-12) “11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
(Acts 2:47) 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
God knows the heart of each of us. Through baptism, God applies Jesus’ blood to an obedient, repentant heart—washing away (forgiving) sin (filth of the flesh), separating (sanctifying) the believer from the sinful world, and placing him in the church (called out). In baptism, the believer has completed God’s requirements, “calling on the name of the Lord” by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(Acts 2:41) “41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
Baptism is essential in God’s plan of salvation and without it we fall short of entering the Kingdom of God. Christ said:
(Mark 16:16) “16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (damned).” Recorded in John 3:18 is a further explanation, “18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Notice that belief alone did not save, but neither did it condemn. But unbelief stops a person from going any further. If you do not believe, there is no use in repentance, confession, and baptism; you remain dead in your sins. If you believe, you will desire to please God by obeying all He requires of us. Just as Noah obeyed God’s requirements for the ark, saving 8 souls, and just as Naaman was cleansed of leprosy by obediently washing in the Jordan River seven times, as he had been directed, obedience is required. Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter), continues by listing numerous faithful men and women, all who demonstrated an active, obedient faith willing to obey the requirements God desired.
Christ our Lord and Savior addressed the eleven disciples before he left earth to join His Father. Among his last words to them were recorded in Matthew.
(Matthew 28:18-20) “18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Remember Christ’s warning that not everyone that calls on Him will be saved, but he that does the will of His Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).
We have just studied that will. We either obey it or we are lost for all eternity.
